Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 47

Engaged

The months have gone by really quick. Aiden has been better since Zaid left, and now he's been back to his normal upbeat self.

He's taken up his game.

Both in basketball and in bed.

My legs are sore as I walk outside. The air is cold, freezing my nose, but I don't complain. It's better than the unbearable heat. Aiden's had an amazing first half of basketball season and next year they're hoping to go to the state tournament.

I wrap my arms around myself to keep in some of the warmth.

Winter break is next week, and all I can think about is Zaid.

It makes me feel guilty. That I'm excited that he'll be in town. I've never had a pleasant experience with him, and I should hate him, but just the thought of maybe seeing him again...

I shudder.

Sometimes I get this gut feeling that he's watching me, but when I turn to face the

corner

of whatever room I'm in, he's never there. Of course he's not.

I hate myself for missing his charms, even though they annoyed me, even though

he tested every inch of my sanity when he was here.

I can't explain the way his face haunts my dreams.

That I sometimes think about him, even when it is Aiden deep inside me.

I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away. I shouldn't feel this way. I'm with

Aiden.

Zaid is his brother, and whatever chemistry there was between us before he left is nothing.

But I still haven't gotten Aiden to talk about the night Zaid got arrested. Every time

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bring it up, he shuts down, changes the subject, or tells me it doesn't matter anymore.

buzzes in my pocket, pulling

over

never texts me like that and I know immediately that something is off. I stuff my phone back in my coat pocket and head in the opposite direction,

there, Aiden opens the door quickly, as if he's been looking out the window and waiting for me to get home. He doesn't say anything before he pulls on the

twisting as he harshly

and I frown at him, feeling strange. He looks upset, running a hand through his

Alina," he says, his voice quiet,

"Sorry for what? What's going

sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't know, okay? I

elbow and walks me into the hallways. Confusion unfurls inside me and I have half a mind to

Didn't know what?"

to the living room, his shoulders tense. "My

engaged. It's been almost three months since

be no reason for my stomach to twist the way it

rein in the

right away. Something else is

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step past him, into the living room, and my heart

of

next to

in my throat as I try to make sense

to her finger, an enormous rock

not reaches his eyes and he

waving her hand at me as

from across the room.

feel Aiden behind me, his hand at my lower back, as if

mother, the uncomfortable tension filling the space as they stand there, clearly waiting for us

I clear my throat, trying

smile still on

you weren't caught

late for that," I mutter, still

his face pale, his jaw clenched. He's horrified, too.

eyes, the way he

step toward me, her hands outstretched.

wonderful news?"

"Wonderful news?" I scoff.

Jake flinches.

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me. "Why are you acting like